Artificial kidney still years away

[okarol]

Artificial kidney still years away
Scripps Howard News Service

Published: 9/14/2009 12:02 AM

Dialysis through the bloodstream means long hours attached to a machine, whether in a clinic or at home. For many researchers, the ultimate goal is an artificial kidney that can match the function of the original organs.

Scientists at UCLA and several other institutions say they're well on their way to developing a miniaturized artificial kidney that weighs only about 10 pounds, including a pair of 9-volt batteries that power it.

The Wearable Artificial Kidney, which would be worn as a belt and operate continuously while a patient worked, socialized or slept, has already had several preliminary rounds of tests, including two studies in dialysis patients.

However, clinical trials to demonstrate how the device might affect the long-term health of dialysis patients are still to be done, researchers say, and it could be years until it is approved for general use.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=320453&src=120

[LightLizard]

these people claim that their product will be available by sept 2011. they have been in clinical trials for over a year, now. of course, there will be red tape with FDA approval and that kind of thing, and i'm sure the dialysis industry will do what it can to slow down the process.
http://www.awak.com/
this one is a P/D unit, while the one above is another company and for hemo dialysis.
but it's good to know there are several companies working toward this.
 

[Zach]

these people claim that their product will be available by sept 2011.

They make those claims to get more investors.

[LightLizard]

these people claim that their product will be available by sept 2011.

They make those claims to get more investors.

i guess we won't have to wait  long to see, hm?

[Rerun]

This industry is like "Big Oil".  Someone will buy off the technology to keep it out of the hands of consumers.  Too much money in keeping us alive on regular clinical dialysis.

           

[LightLizard]

actually, big investors would help  to complete the the product sooner, than later, and despite the cynicism and negativity of some, i see it as reason to be hopeful. it's not like 'big oil' at all. almost every idiot in north america has a car of some kind and is dependant on 'big oil.' not everyone suffers from kidney failure. 40 years ago, dialysis was a very ponderous and dangerous business. today, it is a lot safer and a lot more compact. naturally, liike everything else, it is evolving, despite the negativity and cynicism of some.

[LightLizard]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable_artificial_kidney

[Zach]

Unfortunately Wikipedia has in some cases, become one big promotional web site.

[LightLizard]

Unfortunately Wikipedia has in some cases, become one big promotional web site.

unfortunately, the entire internet has become a self-promotion tool for anyone and everyone. not much communication goes on. mostly opinion and conjecture. sure wikipedia has it's flaws. so does excessive negativity.
i prefer to find a balance between negativity and positivity. and i don't see the point in promoting hopelessness so much.
and in defense of wikipedia, i happen to know from experience that if you find inaccuracies in the information they offer, you can email their admin and they will quickly make corrections when it is appropriate. i have done that.
 

[Zach]

I agree with you LightLizard.

Finding a balance is very important.
I always admired Norman Vincent Peale.